As Judge Rackham and the prosecutor read the documents solemnly, the spectators all held their breaths nervously.Cordy’s heart could leap out of her throat at this moment—even she was taken by surprise by the sudden reversal.All she knew was that John was innocent. She had no idea that the Stuarts were the ones who had committed the crime in the first place!She suddenly remembered that time when she visited John at the detention center—how he smiled confidently and told her that the Stuarts wouldn’t have the strength to retaliate.So, this was it.It turns out that he had been staying with the Stuarts all this time…because he was gathering evidence of their crimes.And she had misunderstood his intentions all this while!Cordy turned her eyes to Sean, unable to think about anything else.Right now, what she worried about was whether Sean would allow this trial to continue once it became clear the Stuarts were involved.Sean might have been unbiased before, but that was beca
After Fabian was brought back to the courtroom, Toby stood before him and asked, "Mr. Locke, the ledgers I was provided suggest that you were bankrupted under my client's manipulation by December 2020. Why would you only come forward to testify against my client after so long?" Fabian scowled right then, as if there was something stopping him from talking."May I remind you that you are in a courtroom, Mr. Locke?" Toby said sternly. "You are under oath to tell the truth." Fabian inhaled, as if preparing to spill everything right then."I had no choice—John Levine threatened me with my son's future just after he passed the exams and earned a place in a prestigious university in Astonia!" Fabian sounded more frustrated the more he spoke. "He's my only son, and he's always been the pride of our family. John told me that if I sued, my son wouldn't be able to graduate. He even gloated that I'm never getting back my money, and that I should just learn to cope with my loss!""Then why
Toby played two videos.The first showed a conversation between Jessica and Noel."Tonight's target is this man," Jessica was saying. "Here's a dossier on his preferences, so study it and satisfy him."She appeared indifferent as she handed Noel a document sheet, as if it was only natural.Noel took it reluctantly, and her face fell after she read the contents. "Don't worry," Jessica assured her just then. "My people will be watching. They won't let you really be hurt—just play along until then.""Your people are watching?" Noel exclaimed, clearly finding that unacceptable."How else would I get a video for blackmail?"It was clear that Jessica did not want to waste her breath with Noel—when Noel tried to speak further, Jessica told her, "Don't forget who made you board chairman of Sachs Enterprises. You are in no position to negotiate."Noel naturally had no choice but to accept the arrangement, and the video ended.Toby then played the second video, which showed a conversa
Here came the real bombshell! Everyone in the courtroom held their breaths as Toby played the third video, which showed James alone making a phone call."I heard through the grapevine that the authorities received an anonymous tip on John Levine's market manipulation and money laundering. I don't know who it was, but I'm sure they'll reach you soon enough, so listen clearly to what I'm about to say and relay it to Hunter as well.""You and Hunter are both to plead guilty right away and accuse John Levine of being the mastermind. The evidence we have would incriminate him, and he'd never weasel his way out of this, not to mention I'll also pull some strings with the court. Just do what I tell you to, and do not expose yourself at all costs."Don't worry—your prison sentences would be ten years at best, and I have ways to lighten your sentence. You would also be rewarded handsomely, not to mention that I'll be taking good care of your families," James added, though the last part was
John's voice was a little quiet, but he showed no weakness as he stood upright.Sean's gaze was in turn sharp. "I would like to question you regarding your involvement in this case. From any instance between 2018 to 2021, did you already notice Wade Jonas and Hunter Stevenson conspiring against you? Did you know and allow it to happen without any response? You had close ties to the Stuarts, after all."Cordy became tense at that.Sean was clearly leading John into a trap, and John would be charged with misprision if he admitted to it!That line of questioning was simply inappropriate, but Toby did not raise an objection against Sean's leading.He simply stood at his corner, appearing calm.In reality, Toby simply trusted John—even if everyone else was worried that Sean would lure John into incriminating himself, Toby knew John would not fall for it.Moreover, John was able to provide him with so much concrete evidence and at a standard that Toby thought impossible in his twenty
Sean nodded in acknowledgment again. "Doing whatever you could in that situation was indeed your best option."John nodded. "Fortunately, just keeping an eye on Jessica and James alone was enough to cover the truth," he said, and started to connect the dots. "The first recording of Wade Jonas and James my lawyer had shown was actually obtained by having a hacker accessing Wade's phone, after which I singled out James as my target. There, I found the fake IP and dummy account he had under my name, and extracted the list of victims, after which I found the money trail through their bank account notifications on their phone and found the money. Lastly, I used my connection to the Stuarts to find the video evidence I needed."After that, he admitted, "When all of that was done, I anonymously reported the crime."The courtroom was once again left in an uproar once he said that.This had to be the first case of its kind, and would definitely make the history books especially since it w
There was a threatening edge in Toby's words, but the prosecution did not object.And with that, Toby asked Wade and Hunter solemnly, "Have you been involved in impersonating my client while carrying out illegal activities including market manipulation and aiding criminal organizations in laundering money?""Yes," both men admitted."Was everything that you have done exactly as our evidence has proven?" "Yes.""Was James Stuart your co-conspirator and the mastermind behind all your actions?""Yes."Neither would dare to hide anything now."Thank you," Toby said and turned toward Judge Rackham. "With the evidence that my side has provided and the confession of the suspects, I maintain that my client is innocent of any charges placed against him on this trial and thus request that he be released without charge. I have nothing more to add." "Thank you. Please return to your table, defense counsel."As Toby returned to his seat, Judge Rackham announced, "The court will be in re
Cordy blushed even harder, but that was not what she meant! She was just worried about John's health. He looked so frail a gust could knock him off his feet, and he was definitely in no shape to drink!Fortunately, Sam did not keep harassing Cordy and changed the subject. "That said, Johnny still gave up Levine Ventures just to take down the Stuarts… Don't you think it's a little too costly? It took several generations for Levines to establish its success, but Johnny is abandoning it just like that? Doesn't he regret it?""His grandfather would probably be hurting." Bob sighed.Cordy sat beside them in silence, since all of that more or less has something to do with her.Quinn was sharp enough to pick up on Cordy's feelings and turned towards Sam and Bob, snapping, "That's enough. We're still in a courtroom—keep it down."Sam shot her a look in turn and growled in displeasure, "The court is in recess and you're not in charge here. Why do you care if I talk?""Can't you show som